All road closures lifted

 Big L Fire
9:30 am Update 
Size: Estimated 11,000 acres
Containment: 20% 
Cause: Under Investigation

Throughout the night Fire crews had worked on containment of the Big L Fire. Topography posed issues throughout the night, but crews were able to make good progress with heavy equipment on both flanks of the fire, along with local engines from Hood County, Erath County and Parker County. Burning operations took place off of N Star Hollow Rd which kept the fire from jumping. For today, March 21, 2022, Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) has transitioned crews, along with local fire departments. Crews will improve lines along the fire edge along with patrolling containment lines and mopping up any hot spots.

Weather has been favorable this morning with high relative humidity and misty conditions. Rain is forecasted for the late morning. Fire activity has been reported to continue to be very active. Stay tuned to local weather stations for forecasts.

Evacuations/Closures 
Currently the town of Lipan is still evacuated with gas shut off. Atmos Energy is currently working on reestablishing the gas to the town. 148 and Star Hollow is the only current road closure at this time.

Big L Fire
Size: 6,000 acres
Containment: 5% 
Cause: Under Investigation

At 2:00 pm a wildfire started approximately 15 miles NE of Stephenville. Hood County, Erath County, Parker County and Texas A&M Forest Service fire resources have been working in unified command on the fire. Engines and heavy equipment have started line construction around both flanks of the fire to better containment. Aviation resources were also being utilized for containment and structure protection. 

Weather poses concerns due to low relative humidity values, high winds and warm temperatures until 10 pm this evening. Tune in to local weather forecast for weather updates.

Evacuations/Closures 
Currently there are evacuations for the town of Lipan and surrounding residents along the Hood/Erath county lines. Shelters have been set up at the following locations: Hood County YMCA at 1475 James, First Christian at 2109 W US HWY 377, Granbury Methodist at 301 NE Loop 567, Church of Latter Day Saints at 1226 Ross Lane. Current road closures are Tolar Highway, Campbell Road, and US HWY 377 at the towns of Bluff Dale and Tolar.

 Currently there are Road Closures at Tolar Hwy and Campbell Rd along with highway 377 is closed at Bluff Dale and at Tolar. 

Big L Fire
Location: approximately 15 miles northeast of Stephenville, TX
Size: estimated 3,000 acres
Containment: 5%

Aviation and ground resources are making progress on slowing the fire progression and containment line construction. County and TAMFS dozers are on scene constructing containment lines around the fire perimeter. Additional resources are en route to assist with fire suppression efforts.

Fire Weather: Critical fire weather conditions will continue for the next few hours with RH values as low as 10-15% and breezy south/southeasterly winds. RH values will increase significantly overnight, close to 100%. Sustained wind speeds around 20 mph with gusts of 30-35 mph will continue into the early evening. Wind speeds will lessen slightly this evening, but will remain in the 15-20 mph range overnight and into tomorrow morning. No abrupt shifts in wind direction are expected through tonight. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected beginning on Monday morning.

Evacuations for the Big L Fire are currently being conducted. Evacuees are being directed towards First Christian Church on HWY 377 W by Tractor Supply and Granbury United Methodist Church on Loop 567. Tune into local media outlets and law enforcement agencies for updates.

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Crews are working to contain the Cedar Mountain fire. Local resources were able to keep the fire from jumping Highway 6 and crews from the Eastland Complex quickly responded to assist with suppression. Air resources were able to make beneficial drops and lower fire activity allowing dozers and fire engines to go direct and suppress the flames. Dozers are currently pushing line around the fire with engines mopping up heats in front of the dozers and along the containment lines.
 
 

Birdwell Fire
Location: eastern side of Big Spring on Birdwell Lane
Size: 28 acres
Containment: 100%

The Birdwell Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.  

Birdwell Fire
Location: eastern side of Big Spring on Birdwell Lane
Size: 28 acres
Containment: 90%

TAMFS and TIFMAS resources returned to the fire this morning to continue patrolling and mopping up hot spots around the fire perimeter. Some smoke from the interior portion of the fire is still showing but the majority of the fire area is looking very good.

Fire Weather: Winds will remain on the breezy side through much of the day. Expect a wind shift from the southeast to the southwest by the afternoon with 20 foot winds increasing to 20 mph. There will be a chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms which will bring the chance for lightning, hail, and rapid changes in wind direction due to outflow. Another wind shift is expected between 8-11 PM with winds becoming northerly behind a passing cold front. Wind speeds will be around 20 MPH with gusts to 35 mph behind the front. Thunderstorms will give way to rain and snow chances after the cold front has passed. Rain/snow chances will push eastward after sunrise tomorrow morning but will give way to stronger winds with northerly winds increasing to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph through the day tomorrow. RH values should only drop to near 25 percent today, increasing to 80+ percent tonight, and back down to near 25 percent tomorrow. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Birdwell Fire
Location: eastern side of Big Spring on Birdwell Lane
Size: 28 acres
Containment: 40%

TAMFS resources and local VFDs have made progress on containment line construction. Crews were able to directly save 127 homes and the Cline Oilfield Construction facility. Crews will continue to construct and improve containment lines around the fire perimeter.